EMBARGOED: Hoyer Responds to Weekly Republican Radio Address

WASHINGTON, DC - House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement on the weekly Republican radio address:

“It appears Republicans can't take yes for an answer. Next week we anticipate bringing a budget to the Floor that cuts spending below the President's budget. It will reinforce steps Democrats have taken to restore fiscal responsibility after years of runaway spending by Republicans exploded the deficit, including reiterating our commitment to PAYGO, and endorsing the goals of the bipartisan fiscal commission and committing to voting on any Senate-passed recommendations the commission makes to reduce the deficit. Republicans say they want less spending and deficit reduction, so I anticipate their support for our budget, rather than clinging to their empty rhetoric which will show this is all just a political game to them as opposed to a serious issue that needs serious solutions. So far, the only comprehensive plan to be put on the table by a Republican - Rep. Paul Ryan - has been met by complete silence from his Republican colleagues. Democrats, meanwhile, have said we need to scrutinize all parts of the budget, including defense spending and tax expenditures, which is the only real and serious way we can confront the deficits facing our nation.”